Anderson is one of four Board of Trustees-approved honorary degree recipients for 2024, and joins the prestigious list of U. of I. honorary degree awardees that includes the likes of Dr. Temple Grandin, Mannie L. Jackson, the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia), and more. He is being honored for his half-century of commitment to students, scholarship, service, and to the University of Illinois.

However, Anderson's impact reaches far beyond the U. of I., say the numerous current and former Illinois faculty and administrators who nominated him for the recognition:

"He is widely recognized as an expert on the history of U.S. education and the history of African American education. He has authored over 80 publications and his book, The Education of Blacks in the South, 1860-1935 (1988) serves as the definitive history on African American education.

“We can say with utmost confidence that we have never met a person more committed to diversity or the advancement of opportunity and excellence than Dr. James D. Anderson. For more than 50 years he has been a stalwart advocate of college access, diversity, inclusion, and opportunity for everyone. He epitomizes the transformative and democratizing power of education, equity, and access and is an excellent candidate for this prestigious honor and recognition.

"Anderson has embodied the mission, vision, and values of our internationally recognized institution, while also staying true to our historic obligation as a land-grant university. He has prepared generations of scholars and educators to use their research and classrooms to change the face of education and nation for the better. He is a distinguished scholar, humanitarian, and leader deserving of the highest praise and recognition that comes with being a University of Illinois honorary degree recipient."

As an alternative to cards or gifts, please consider a donation to the Dr. James D. Anderson Fellowship in Education to celebrate this remarkable achievement.